CONNOTATIVE MEANING IN SELECTED BILLIE EILISH’S SONG’S LYRICS

• SARAH SYAFIRA SALHAN
• 2025

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Sarah Syafira Salhan (33200095), Connotative Meaning in Selected Billie Eilish’s
Song Lyrics.
Language in song lyrics does more than just express literal meaning; it also carries
deeper emotional, cultural, and symbolic significance. Communication is a
fundamental process through which individuals share information, thought, and
emotions. It encompasses various forms, including verbal and non-verbal expression,
which can significantly influence how messages are perceived and understood. This
study focus in the connotative meanings in selected Billie Eilish song lyrics “Bad
Guy”, “When the Party’s Over”, “Everything I Wanted”, “Bury a Friend”, and
“Lovely”. Using a qualitative method with textual and thematic analysis, the research
aims to uncover how her lyrics express deeper emotional and social issues, especially
those related to mental health and identity.The analysis identifies 47 instances of
connotative meaning: 5 positive, 31 negative, and 11 neutral. These findings show how
Eilish’s music reflects the internal struggles of many young people such as anxiety,
insecurity, loneliness, and the pressure to meet expectations. Her lyrics go beyond
surface-level sadness, capturing subtle emotional states like numbness, confusion, and
vulnerability. This emotional honesty allows listeners to feel understood and less
alone. Eilish’s songwriting also questions societal norms around how people are
expected to feel and behave. Through poetic language, metaphors, and raw imagery,
she promotes emotional openness and self-acceptance. Even when her lyrics sound
dark, a quiet sense of resilience often emerges, suggesting that healing is possible,
though not always immediate. This study adds valuable insights to the fields of
semantics and music literature and encourages further exploration into how language,
music, and culture interact.
Keywords: Linguistics, Semantics, Connotative Meaning, Billie Eilish,
Song Lyrics.

• Linguistics
• Semantics
• Connotative Meaning
• Billie Eilish
• Song Lyrics.

https://repository.bsi.ac.id/repo/71699/CONNOTATIVE-MEANING-IN-SELECTED-BILLIE-EILISH’S--SONG’S-LYRICS
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